City, tavern again discuss security issues

ALTON - The mayor, police chief and Alton's corporation counselor continue working with the owners of CTW Lounge to ensure it is complying with a June order requiring sufficient security.

Mayor Tom Hoechst, the city's liquor control commissioner, on Monday issued a second order in recent months regarding security inside and outside the bar, 1000 Belle St. It requires CTW to close early, at 1 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, and not reopen until 6 a.m. that day; then, to close at 1 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, and remain closed until 6 a.m. that day.

Hoechst's order also continues a public hearing on CTW security for the second time this month, from Monday morning until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, in Alton City Council Chambers. The mayor is to determine at that third scheduled session whether the bar owners' independent security arrangements are to the satisfaction of himself and that of Police Chief David Hayes.

The public hearing originally opened Oct. 10, starting 15 minutes late. The tavern's attorney, Cliff Emons of Alton, then asked for a continuance, saying he had gotten the case only a few days earlier and was not prepared to proceed.

At that brief session, Emons said his client would pay the costs of the court reporter and two security guards from a private firm who formerly had worked at the tavern and attended the hearing, totaling $115. Hoechst continued the hearing to Monday morning. The proceedings, though, did not start until 80 minutes after they were scheduled.

During that 80 minutes, Hayes, Corporation Counselor Jim Schrempf and Emons met on and off privately, sometimes consulting with Hoechst and several people from CTW to work out the next step, including setting a date for the third increment of the hearing.

"Alton Police Department officers will meet with security people this week," Emons said, with Emons and police also talking with CTW owners and manager. Again, as with the previous session, CTW is to pay costs of the security officers who came back for the second session, Schrempf said.

There was no court reporter this time.

Hoechst's June 8 order requires, among other stipulations, that bar representatives meet at least once a week with police regarding security protocols and to discuss any incidents that may have arisen, for an indefinite period of time. It also requires owners to employ independent security personnel to be on the premises every Friday and Saturday night until everyone has left.

This summer, the tavern contracted with Securitas Security Services of O'Fallon, Ill., but the firm quit last month.

There have been shootings and other incidents over the years outside the bar. Owners say they pay taxes that go to the Police Department, and police should disperse crowds of people who may gather late at night on weekends on their property, in the street and on neighboring sites.

Police say the bar attracts the unruly crowds at times; they say the owners should have security guards to deter or send away loiterers and troublemakers.